Flush single-line partitions



Aug. 14, 1962 o. R. LUDWIG FLUSH SINGLE-LINE PARTITIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1961 BY ww wv w INVENTOR. 05x44? Luau/s- 14 T'TO/PNEYS Aug. 14, 1962 o. R. LUDWiG FLUSH SINGLE-LINE PARTITIONS Filed March 22 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 i .5. Ti .7. \3 I1 6 so l3 INVENTOR. 0 43 Luau/s BY I I mMfi-Wvm Aug. 14, 1962 o. R. LUDWIG FLUSH SINGLE-LINE; PARTITIONS Filed March 22 196l 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 0am Q luau 16 BY flM,

United States Patent O 3,049,197 FLUSH SIN GLE-LINE PARTITIGNS Oskar R. Ludwig, 6425 72nd St, Middle Village, N.Y. Filed Mar. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 97,665 4 Claims. (til. 189-34) This invention relates to improvements in collapsible partitions, and in particular, relates to improved releasable locking means for joining successive flush single line partition panels.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved panel for use in such partitions, both ends of which are identical.

Another object of the invention is to provide panels having locking means which can be pre-assembled therewith in the factory.

Another object of the invention is to provide collapsible partitions which can be erected or taken down easily and with a minimum of tools.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible flush single line partition in which the joints do not transmit light, in which the joints may be filled with insulating material without interfering with the erection or taking down of the partition and in which channels are formed in the joints for reception of electric wiring.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible flush single line partition in which the successive panels are readilyaligned by means of the locking means.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, I provide a collapsible partition assembly comprising a plurality of panels for erection into a vertical partition wall in side-by-side succession, each said panel having a front face and a rear face and first and second sides and outwardly opening panel pockets in the sides thereof extending the full height thereof. A plurality of vertically spaced U-shaped locking frames are wholly received within each pocket, each locking frame having a web opposing the inner face of the pocket and front and rear flanges which are respectively parallel to the front and rear faces of the pocket. I provide a lock bar for each side of the panel. Each lock bar has opposing faces and has a plurality of spaced bar interlock means on one of its faces. Each locking frame flange has interlock-receiving means, these being the same for all of the frame flanges.

On one side of the panel, the rear frame flange interlock receiving means releasably receive the interlock means of a lock bar with the lock bar between the flanges and the rear face of the pocket. On the other side of the panel, the front frame flange interlock receiving means releasably receive the interlock means of a lock bar with the lock bar between the flanges and the front face of the pocket. Each lock bar is then in a first vertical position relative to the panel.

With successive vertical panels in side-by-side relationship, the front frame flanges of one panel and the proximate rear frame flanges of the next panel have lock bars thereon. The interlock receiving means of the respective front and rear pairs of adjacent frame flanges and the lock bar interlock means are respectively coperatively shaped and positioned to permit movement of each lock bar to a second vertical position in which it locks the adjacent frame flanges together. Means are provided for releasably maintaining the lock bar in its second vertical position.

The lock bar may be mounted on the frame flanges in the factory without tools, and may be manipulated in the field without tools to lock and align successive frame flanges. A simple tool is optionally required to lock the lock bar in its aforesaid second vertical position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall made with my improved panels, one panel being shown prior to its assembly in the wall. In FIGS. l-8, the panels are made of metal.

FIG. 2 is an exploded broken away top plan view of two aligned panels prior to assembly thereof.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of a panel in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded broken away perspective view of the panel and of a panel connecting member.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, similar to FIG. 4, showing the panel and connecting member assembled.

FIG. 6 is a broken away vertical section of two panels in position for assembly thereof, the section being taken along a plane parallel to the faces of the panels.

FIG. 7 is a View similar to FIG. 6, showing the panels assembled.

FIG. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the panels are made of wood.

FIGS. 10-12 show another embodiment in which the interlock means on the locking bar are modified. FIG. 10 is an exploded broken away perspective view of the panel and the locking bar or panel connecting member.

FIG. 11 is a broken away vertical section of two panels in position for assembly thereof, the section being taken along a plane parallel to the faces of the panels.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, showing the panels assembled.

Upon reference to FIGS. 1-8, it will be noted that panel '10 is of conventional hollow core construction consisting of parallel front and rear laterally and vertically extending walls 11 and 12. Panel 10 has end channels 14- formed in any suitable manner. In the embodiment shown, each wall 11 and 12 is doubled back on itself as shown at 11a and 12a, and the inner ends of the doubled over wall portions 11a and 12a connect with inturned aligned flanges llb and 12b. A vertically and longitudinally extending spacer bar 13 extends between the two walls 11 and 12 and against the inner faces of flanges 11b and 1211. This bar 13 has outward- 1y turned flanges 13a and 13b which are respectively .sandwiched between wall 11 and flange 11a and wall 12 and flange 12a. The assembly may be secured together by screws, welding or any other suitable means. Bar 13 extends below the level of walls 11 and 12. Filler material 9 is received between walls 11 and 12 and flanges 13. The top and bottom of the panel may be closed by any suitable means (not shown).

In accordance with the invention, two or more lock frames or lock channels 2t are mounted in each of the end channels 14 of each of the panels 10. Thus, there may be a top channel 20 and a bottom channel 2t which are identical. Depending upon the height of the panel, and the amount of rigidity required, there may be one or more intermediate lock channels 26. Each said lock channel 20 comprises an inner web 21 which is of less width than panel 13 and which is secured to panel 13 by any suitable means, such as bolts 21a and nuts 21b. Alternately, ordinary metal screws may be used, or any other suitable fastening means may be used.

Flanges 22 extend laterally outwardly from the respective front and rear edges of web 21, at the top thereof. Flanges 23 extend laterally outwardly from the respective sides edges of web 21 at the bottom thereof.

The flanges 22 and 23 are parallel to the walls 11 and 12 and are spaced from the flanges 11a and 12a. Each set of flanges 22 and 23 are vertically aligned and may be considered as a single flange interrupted bya cut-out.

Flange 22 has an upwardly outwardly inclined lower edge portion 22:: which starts at web 21. At the outer end of edge 22a, slot 24 extends vertically upwardly from the lower edge of flange 22. Outwardly of slot 24, the lower edge portion 22b of flange 22 is convex and is inwardly upwardly inclined. This edge portion 22b preferably extends somewhat into slot 24 to become a portion of the outer edge of slot 24. The outer end of edge 22b is preferably somewhat below the level of the outer end of edge 22a. The outer edge 220 of flange 22 is located inwardly of or recessed with respect to the outer edge of panel "10. The flange portion between slot 24 and edge 220 is designated as tab 22d.

Flange 23 has an outwardly upwardly inclined upper edge 23a. Edge 22a diverges outwardly upwardly from edge 23a. The outer edge 23b of flange 23 is also recessed inwardly with respect to the outer edge of panel 10.

Successive panels are joined together by means of lock bar 39. There are two lock bars required to join together two adjacent panels. Each said lock bar 36 is in the form of a flat, vertically elongated plate. At intervals along the height of lock bar 36, corresponding in spacing and number to the clips 29, lock clips 31 are secured to bar 34 Each said lock clip 31 includes a plate 32 which is secured to bar by the welding or the like. At its upper end, plate 32 is integral with a transverse flange 33 which extends away from bar 30. At its free edge which is parallel to plate 32, flange 33 is integral with a Wall 34 which extends upwardly therefrom and is parallel to bar 30. Plate or wall 34 has end flanges 35 which extend toward and generally abut bar 30. At its lower end, plate 32 is integral with a further flange 36 which is transverse to bar 30 and which is inclined in the same sense as flange edge 23a and at'substantially the same angle. The distance between the top of flange 35 and the bottom end of flange 36 is equal to the distance between the proximate ends of edges 22c and 23b. The space bounded by flanges 34 and 35 and bar 30 is designated as pocket 31a.

It will be understood that the lock clip 31 may be formed in any other suitable way.

The remaining part of the assembly is a channel shaped retainer 40. Said retainer 40 has a web 41 and side flanges 42. The width of web 41 is suificiently great to receive the lower end of bar 30 between the flanges 42. Said web 41 has a vertically elongated slot 43.

Retainer clip 44 between flanges 42 abuts web 41 opposite slot 43 and is adjustably and releasably secured to web 41 by means of metal screw 45 which extends through clip 44 and through slot 43. The upper end plate portion 46 of clip 44 is offset with respect thereto to provide a space between plate 46 and web 41 for reception of bar 30.

Preferably, a lock bar 30 is assembled in each end channel 14 of each panel 10 in the factory. At one end channel 14, bar 30 is located between flanges 22 and 23 and flange 12a, with flange 36 inclined in the same sense as edge 23a. At the other end channel 14, bar 30 is located between flanges 22 and 23 and flange 11a, with flange 36 inclined in the same sense as edge 23a. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, bar 30 is slid into place with flange 36 resting upon edge 23a and with the inner edge of bar 30 resting against flange 12b or flange 1117, as the case may be. Pocket 31a is below tab 22d.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an initial step in the assembly of two panels in the field. FIG. 1 shows several erected panels 10 and shows a further panel on the floor on bars 13 and about to be moved into assembly position. FIG. 2 shows the two panels to be assembled in spaced, aligned condition.

As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 the two panels are then flanges 35 abut the upper ends of slots 24.

Retainer member 40 is then placed on the floor under bar 30, as shown in FIG. 4, and clip 44 is raised until bar 30 is received between plate 46 and web 41 and resting upon oflFset 46a. Screw 45 is then tightened. As a result, bar 30 cannot drop out of its locking position.

It will be apparent that panels 10 may be readily separated, since all that it is necessary to do is to loosen screw 45, lower clip 44 and permit bar 30 to be lowered sothat the flanges 22d are disengaged from the pockets 31a.

The assembly has a number of important advantages. In the first place, bar 30 opposes the slit between the adjacent vertical edges of the respective walls 12 and 11 of adjacent panels 16. This is shown in FIG. 5 and other views. The two bars 30 thereby prevent light from passing through the joints between successive panels.

As another feature of the invention, there is only a single joint line between successive panels, this being the flush single line partition style which has become increasingly popular.

As another feature of the invention, the locking bars 39 are located outside the space between the channels 20. Bar 35 is the only moving part of the assembly. Accordingly, it is possible to place flller material which may be acoustic insulation or other insulation 8, within the channels 2% without in-terferring with the operation of the partition. This filling material 8 may be inserted either before or after the partitions are assembled. After the partitions are assembled, there is a natural pocket formed by the two facing channels 20, through which it is possible to run electric wiring in the field.

As another feature of hte invention, the bar 30 serves to align the respective adjacent Walls 11 or 12 as the case may be, of the adjacent panels 10. In other words, the bars 30 align the joints of the partitions. As another important feature of the invention, the partitions can be made of aluminum. In prior construction, a great deal of expensive welding was required. In accordance with this invention, no welding is required, so far as the aluminum is concerned (bar 30 may be made of steel), since with respect to the channel 20v the only assembly is of web 21 to the flange 13, and this may be done without welding and merely by the use of screws.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate wood panel or fiber board panel. This consists of front and rear walls 51 and 52 respectively, together with vertical spaces 53 which are recessed to form side pockets. It will be apparent that the web 21 of each channel 20 may be secured to the recessed spacer 53 by means of screws 54, or other suitable means. Channels 20 and bars 30 are the same in both embodiments.

Embodiments of FIGS. 10-12 In this embodiment, the chief difference is in the locking means on bar 130, which corresponds to bar 30 of the first embodiment. Also, channel 20'is slightly modified in that slot 124 is slightly changed in shape. Speccifically, the curvature of the portion 22b is less pronounced, and the outer slot edge 124a diverges slightly toward the inner slot edge. This shape facilitates the proper guidance of the locking bar into locking position and makes it possible to design the bar to slightly less critical tolerances.

The locking bar has applied thereto, at spaced intervals, interlock means 131 which difler in shape, but not in principle of operation, from the interlock means 31 of the first embodiment. Said interlock means 131 comprises a plate 132 which is fixed to the remote face of bar 130 (as taken in FIG. by means of spot welds 133 or the like. Said plate 132 is somewhat elongated in the direction of length of bar 130. A pair of flanges 134 and 135 is fixed to plate 132 and extend perpendicularly to plate 132 past the side edges of bar 130 and forwardly thereof (as taken in FIG. 10). Said flange 134, which is the left flange (as viewed in FIG. 10), extends the full length of plate 132. Flange 134 extends approximately half the length of plat 132. The upper ends of flanges 134a and 135a are located in a common horizontal plane (with bar 130 considered in its operating vertical position). An imaginary line joining the lower ends 134b and 135b of flanges 134 and 135 Wound have substantially the same inclination as edge 23a.

The distance between the lower end of edge 22c and the upper end of edge 23b is approximately the same as the distance between the respective inner ends of edges 22a and 23a, and is slightly greater than the distance between the ends 134a and 1341) of flange 134.

In the assembly of the members, flange 134 is extended between the proximate ends of edges 22c and 23b and hence between flanges 22 and 23, with bar 130 located between flanges 22 and 23 and the proximate rear face of pocket 14 (as taken in FIG. 10), with the flange ends 1341) and 135b, which are operating ends, riding upon edge 23a. Flange 134 then abuts web 21 (FIG. 11).

Bar 130 fits slidably frictionally between flanges 22 and 23 and the rear face of pocket 14, so that flange 134 and flange 135 cannot be withdrawn from the space between flanges 22 and 23.

The assembly of successive panels is very much as described in the first embodiment. Upon raising of bar 130, the upper operating end 134a of flange 134 strikes cam edge 22b and is guided into slot 124 (FIG. 12). The other flange 135 enters the corresponding slot 124 of the other flange 22. Bar 130 may be secured in its raised position as in the first embodiment.

While I have disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made in the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. Collapsible partition assembly comprising a plurality of panels for erection into a vertical pantition wall in side-by-side succession, each said panel having a front face and a rear face and first and second sides and having outwardly opening panel pockets in the sides thereof extending the full height thereof, a plurality of vertically spaced U-shaped locking frames wholly within each panel pocket, each locking frame having a web and opposing frame flanges connected to said web, means mounting each said locking frame in said panel pocket with said web opposing the inner face of said panel pocket, said frame flanges being parallel to the front and rear faces of said panel and being respectively proximate to and spaced from the front and rear faces of said panel pocket, a plurality of lock bars, each lock bar having opposing faces and having a plurality of spaced bar interlock means on one of its faces, said frame flanges each having interlock-receiving means which are identical for all said frame flanges, the interlock-receiving means of the front frame flanges at the first side of said panel and of the rear frame flanges at the second side of said panel and said bar interlock means being respectively cooperatively shaped and positioned for reception of a lock bar in releasably mounted position on each of said first side front frame flanges and second side rear frame flanges with each said bar positioned between its associated frame flanges and the proximate face of its associated pocket and with said lock bar in a first vertical position relative to said panel, the interlock receiving means of adjacent frame flanges of side-by-side panels and the interlock means of a lock bar previously mounted on one of said adjacent frame flanges being respectively cooperatively shaped and positioned to permit movement of said previously mounted lock bar to a second vertical position in which it locks said adjacent frame flanges together, and means releasably maintaining said lock bar in its second vertical position.

2. Collapsible partition assembly comprising a plurality of panels for erection into a vertical partition wall in side-by-side succession, each said panel having front and rear faces and first and second sides and having outwardly opening pockets in the sides thereof, extending the full height thereof, a U-shaped locking frame wholly within each panel pocket having a web and opposing frame flanges connected to said Web, means mounting said locking frame in said panel pocket with said web opposing the inner face of said panel pocket, said frame flanges being parallel to the front and rear faces of said panel and being respectively proximate to and spaced from the front and rear faces of said panel pocket, each said frame flange having a plurality of vertically spaced cut-outs extending to the outer edge thereof, the height of the inner and outer sides of said cut-out being substantially the same, the lower edge of said cut-out being upwardly outwardly inclined and straight, the outer portion of the upper edge of said cut-out being upwardly inwardly inclined, the inner portion of the upper edge of said cut-out being upwardly outwardly inclined and diverging outwardly from said cut-out lower edge, said frame flange having a vertical slot extending to the upper edge of said cut-out to define a tab between said slot and the outer side edge of said frame flanges, the inner end of said outer portion of said upper edge of said cut-out being located above the outer end of said inner portion of said upper edge of said cut-out, a plurality of locking bars each having opposing faces, a plurality of vertically spaced, vertically extending sleeves formed on one face of each bar, each said sleeve being open at the top and bottom, a transverse bar flange formed on said one face of each bar below and spaced from each sleeve and inclined from the vertical, said bars being sized, shaped and adapted to be assembled respectively with the front frame flange at the first side of said panel and the rear frame flange at the second side of said panel with each said bar positioned between its associated frame flange and the proximate face of its associated pocket and with each of said bar flange and sleeve received within and extending to the inner end of the respective frame flange cut-out, said bar flange being inclined in the same sense as and at the same angle as and resting upon the bottom edge of said cut-out, the inner edge of the top of said sleeve slidably abutting the inner portion of said top edge of said cut-out, said lock bar being movable to locate the inner side of each sleeve in a respective slot of the frame flange on which said lock bar has been mounted, said tab being thereby received in said sleeve through the open top thereof, said lock bar in its last-mentioned position being also adapted to receive in each said sleeve through the open top thereof respective tab of the adjacent flange of another panel placed in side-by-side relation with said first-mentioned panel prior to movement of said lock bar to its last-mentioned position, and means releasably maintaining said lock bar in its last-mentioned position.

3. Collapsible partition assembly comprising a plurality of panels for erection into a vertical partition wall in side- .by-side succession, each said panel having front and rear faces and first and second sides and having outwardly opening pockets in the sides thereof, extending the full height thereof, a U-shaped locking frame wholly within such panel pocket having a Web and opposing frame flanges connected to said web, means mounting said locking frame in said panel pocket with said web opposing the inner face of said panel pocket, said frame flanges being parallel to the front and rear faces of said panel and being respectively proximate to and spaced from the inner and outer sides of said cut-out being substantially the same, the lower edge of said cut-out being upwardly outwardly inclined and straight, the outer portion of the upper edge of said cut-out being upwardly inwardly inclined, the inner portion of the upper edge of said cut-out being upwardly outwardly inclined and diverging outwardly from said cut-out lower edge, said frame flange having a vertical slot extending to the upper edge of said cut-out to define a tab between said slot and the outer side edge of said frame flanges, the inner end of said outer portion of said upper edge of said cut-out being located above the outer end of said inner portion of said upper edge of said cut-out, a plurality of locking bars each having opposing faces, a plurality of vertically spaced interlock means formed on one face of each bar, each said interlock means comprising flanges perpendicular to said bar and extending in the direction of length thereof and also extending away from said face of said bar at each side thereof, the upper edges of said bar flanges being in a common hori zontal plane when said bar is in vertical operating position and one of said flanges being longer than the other and thereby extending below the other flange, said bars being sized, shaped and adapted to be assembled respectively with the front frame flange at the first side of said panel and the rear frame flange at the second side of said panel with each said bar positioned between its associated frame flange and the proximate face of its associated panel and with each of said bar flanges received within a respective frame flange cut-out 'with the longer flange extending to the inner end of said frame flange cut-out, said bar flanges being inclined in the same sense as and at the same angle as and resting upon the bottom edge of said cut-out, said lock bar being movable to locate the longer lock bar flange in a respective slot of the frame flange on which said lock bar has been mounted, said tab being thereby received between said lock bar flanges, said lock bar in its last-mentioned position being also adapted to receive between said lock bar flanges the respective tab of the adjacent flange of another panel placed in side-byside relation with said first-mentioned panel prior to movement of said lock bar to its last-mentioned position, the shorter lock bar flange being thereby received within the slot of the frame flange of said other panel, and means releasably maintaining said lock bar in its last-mentioned position.

4. Collapsible partition assembly comprising a plurality of panels for erection into a vertical partition wall in side-by-side succession, each said panel having a front face and a rear face and first and second sides and having outwardly opening panel pockets in the sides thereof extending the full height thereof, a plurality of vertically spaced U-shaped locking frames wholly within each panel pocket, each locking frame having a web and opposing frame flanges connected to said web, means mounting frame flanges being parallel to the front and rear faces of said panel and being respectively proximate to and spaced from the front and rear faces of said panel pocket,

a plurality of lock bars, each lock bar having a plurality of spaced bar interlock means on one of its faces, said interlock means comprising flanges extending from said bar faces at opposite edges thereof, each said frame flange having a cut-out extending to the outer edge thereof and sized to receive the flanges of said bar interlock means, each said frame flange having a slot extending upwardly from the upper edge of said frame cut-out, said lock bar being adapted to be assembled with a respective panel with said lock bar positioned vertically between associated frame flange and the proximate face of its associated pocket and with said lock bar flanges received within respective frame flange cut-outs, said lock bar being adapted to be moved upwardly and outwardly for location of said respective lock bar flanges in the slots of frame flanges of the panel with which said lock bar was initially assembled and a successive panel so as' to lock said panels against separation, and means releasably maintaining said lock bar in its second position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,132,601 Bell Oct. 11, 1938 2,202,881 Winslow June 4, 1940 2,430,961 Sprunger -.-1 Nov. 18, 1947' 2,577,881 Dugas r. Dec. '11, 1951 2,629,139 Thelander Feb.t24, 1953 l w. o-W1 

